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New Dangers to Coral Reefs Caused by Crown of Thorns

Date Posted: 2004-03-19

Officials are calling the matter one of great urgency after 20 years of continued damage. They’re talking about the crown of thorns, and the damage it is causing to coral in all Okinawa islands, particularly in Miyako. The crown of thorns eats the coral, causing officials to predict serious effects within the next few years.

They say if nobody thinks about protecting the coral within the next 2-3 years, all of Miyako Island’s ocean coral will die and disappear. They say it’s become an urgent problem since early this year, as coral specialists with the Ministry of Environment visited the area for a conference and sent divers to look beneath the waters.

The divers reported that the outbreak of crown of thorns has become so severe, there are too many to even count. The unusual outbreak happened because of ocean currents that brought the crown of thorn eggs to the region, where they hatched in the Miyako area.

A March 14th conference at the Hirara City Office led to discussions on how to exterminate the crown of thorns, how many people would be required, and how much budget would be needed.

Divers are currently pulling the crowns of thorns from the water and burying them in landfills. Some suggested burning them, but the crown of thorns’ bodies have much water and oil in them, making it a very expensive idea. The divers report some of the ocean creatures are jumbo size, saying they’ve seen some 30cm wide.